  Ellie and I were returning home after taking Aidan to school, and the card reader on the bus wouldn't take my bus pass. It turns out I've been somewhat freeloading the system. Even though a transfer pass lasts several hours, you aren't allowed to do "roundtripping" on a transfer.
I tried to tell the guy I had always been able to take this route on the pass at this time and he pulled all his attitude out, "not on my bus, you didn't! " I didn't have any more money, so he stopped and we got out and walked. In the afternoon, I couldn't quite decide if I wanted to pay the extra dollar for a day pass (go legit) or try my luck at the system again, since I'd been able to do it for so long without knowing it wasn't allowed.
I asked the driver about day passes to see how much they were, then got the regular $1 transfer, deciding on the latter course. But when I sat down, the woman next to me asked if I needed a daypass. I said yes and she traded tickets with me since she'd bought one but didn't need it anymore. I was jubilant! Not only did the pass cover our return trip without incident, since it's good for 24 hours, John used it this morning to get to work.
I conquered the system! Ellie and I are basking in our newfound identity as thugs who got thrown off the Metro busline. It was a beautiful day for a walk anyway, and with that and all the bike riding and bus chasing this week, I bet I lose five pounds! 
